The last time the Los Angeles Lakers played in front of a capacity crowd at STAPLES Center was March 10, 2020, where the home crowd saw the Purple and Gold lose 104-102 to the Brooklyn Nets.
That was until Tuesday night.
As fans entered the arena, they were welcomed with a gold shirt draped over their seat. Each shirt read “18,997 Strong” in reference to the team playing at home in front of a sold-out crowd for the first time in two seasons.
Despite almost identical double-doubles from LeBron James (34 points and 11 rebounds) and Anthony Davis (33 points and 11 rebounds) the Lakers dropped the home opener to the Warriors, 121-114.